Paris I Love You

^^ Some details from the apartment we stayed at ^^

^^ A park five minutes from our apartment that we sat and watched these boys play soccer on our first night ^^

^^ A Patisserie by our apartment where we got our fresh baguettes! P.S. That blurry hand in the right hand corner is me getting told off for taking this picture! "No, No, No, No, NO!!" ^^

^^ Our walk to the Eiffel Tower from our apartment! ^^

^^ Beautiful gardens outside L'Hôtel des Invalides ^^

^^ One of my favourite parts of Paris, the Musée Rodin ^^

^^ We walked to the Eiffel Tower around 10 o'clock to catch the light show at 11, totally worth it! ^^

^^ Our final destination, The Louvre ^^

When we stepped out of the train station and took our first glance at Paris, it was a little overwhelming. Paris is beautiful it's so alive and filled with artistic expression, conveyed through it's buildings and people. Not knowing a lick of French besides the basic, "Bonjour! Comme ça va?" "Ça va bien!" ect. ect. it was quite intimidating. Throughout our time in Paris (a full two days), you couldn't help but feel low whenever your were to interact with someone who potentially couldn't speak a lick of English either! Despite the language barrier, we were generally able to get by. 

On our first day we walked to the Eiffel Tower. If you were to say to me at that moment, that the landscape was imagined and that I was really just staring at the small version in Las Vegas, I probably would have believed you more than if you were to say we were in Paris, France! It seemed so surreal. We sat on the steps just above the fountains looking out at the Eiffel Tower and the rest of Paris; the hustle and bustle of tour buses, taxi drivers and pedestrians, kept us occupied as we took it all in.

We made our way down and through the gardens beyond, making our way to the Musée Rodin. We stopped along the way at a café and had Eggs Benedict for Grandpa's Father's Day gift. 

The Musée Rodin is set in an old house that I believe was rented out, our someway housed by artists like Rodin "back in the day" but is now turned into a museum. The house is beautiful and the grounds are spectacular. It was so nice just to walk around enjoy everything that was so immaculately preserved and maintained.

We enjoyed some sorbet, there as well -- I would recommend Violet, it's pretty colour was enough for me to try it! We made our way back to our apartment, quite early, grabbing a baguette along the way, rested our weary feet, and braved the walk down to the Eiffel Tower at 10 o'clock to see it all lit up and sparkly. I grabbed a crepe with nutella, and Grandpa got some popcorn, as we waited on the steps for the show to begin. It lasted all of probably 5 mins, but was soo..worth the wait and the walk. Paris is as beautiful at night as it is in the day!

On our second day we braved the metro -- which may I say was quite disgusting, I would not have been surprised if I had seen a rat crawling along the benches, it was dirty and dingy and felt like you were on set of a horror movie and soon the lights were going to start flickering and we would be plunged into total darkness! Not to mention it was hard to follow after the London Tube -- anyway we made our way to the Louvre and spent our time wondering around the sculptures. It was so beautiful I was glad that we had picked to go there first. Somehow on our way to see the Mona Lisa -- you know just to say that you had seen it -- we got  lost in Napoleon's quarters which were so extravagant and gaudy, but quite awe-some. Finally made our way through the palace, snapped a blurry, half-hearted picture of Mona Lisa -- more because everyone else was, walked to the other side of the room to see if she really does follow you with her eyes -- she does! -- and got out of there after a Starbucks break of course. We made our way home with the help of an American because the train had suddenly decided to stop, grabbed some supper at a restaurant and called it a day. Up early the next morning to meet our landlord and catch the train to back to England!

Au Revoir!!

A Summer Day

Summer in a small town can be quiet, there isn't festivals happening every weekend or outdoor concerts. The few annual events that we have are enjoyed and classed in the quintessential summer. In other words, summer isn't complete until we've gone to the rodeo or the parade, or sat in the car in our pajamas with blankets, out in a field watching the fire works at 11:00 at night. I made a little video trying to mark all of the little things that mark a classic summer day in our small town.

A Small Town Summer Day from Bronté Laurel on Vimeo.

Come, rest awhile

Come, rest awhile, and let us idly stray 

In glimmering valleys, cool and far away. 

Come from the greedy mart, the troubled street, 

And listen to the music, faint and sweet, 

That echoes ever to a listening ear, 

Unheard by those who will not pause to hear­ 

The wayward chimes of memory's pensive bells, 

Wind-blown o'er misty hills and curtained dells. 

One step aside and dewy buds unclose 

The sweetness of the violet and the rose; 

Song and romance still linger in the green, 

Emblossomed ways by you so seldom seen, 

And near at hand, would you but see them, lie 

All lovely things beloved in days gone by. 

You have forgotten what it is to smile 

In your too busy life­ come, rest awhile. 

~ L. M. Montgomery ~

^^ Scorton ^^

^^ The Lake District ^^

^^ Lancaster  Castle^^

We took a break from the bustling town of London, and traveled north to a quieter and more serene village of Scorton. We stayed with family friends and spent our days drinking tea and eating good homemade food!

We took a couple of walks around the village and I couldn't keep my camera from my face, inspiration and beauty were everywhere I turned.

Our second day was spent driving around the Lakes District. Houses scattered here and there over the bright green fells that were scarred with stone walls and spotted with sheep and little lakes tucked into the valleys.

On our last day we found some much needed flip-flops for my feet, toured the Lancaster Castle, and ended the day with a barbecue at our host's back garden!

It was a picturesque pick-me-up and was so refreshing after running around London with a constant map in our hands. Leaving the transportation and "tours" to our hosts, we felt very relaxed and at ease for our days in Scorton :)

N I N E books to keep you busy this summer...

It is one of my deepest beliefs that a book can impact you in a way that cannot even be expressed, that it can take you to far off places and make you forget, or perhaps remember. A good book cannot always be judged by the quality of writing, or the maturity of the plot, or the morals that it portrays, but the feeling you get as it comes to a close, as you read the final paragraph. Sometimes a good book is fluffy, sometimes a good book is nostalgia incarnate, sometimes a good book is fanciful, sometimes a good book is thought provoking, these are nine of which, I would recommend, to do just that:

1. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Following one fateful night involving a girl and a man on the hunt fallen victim to a marauding hound, the Baskervilles have since been plagued by a mysterious, supernatural black hound. Sherlock sends Watson out to the estate to investigate the case of the most recent death of the Baskervilles, that has brought forth the original superstition of such a hound. This is one of the great Sherlock Holmes' mystery's but, unlike most of Doyle's work, of primarily short stories, this is a novel.

2. Emma by Jane Austen
Emma Woodhouse is handsome, clever and rich, she is also quite spoiled. This is a tale of the perils of misconstrued love. Emma greatly overestimates her ability of matchmaking and doesn't quite understand the effects of meddling in peoples lives. A light comedy of love, friendship and misconceptions.

3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Based in the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi, this is a story about African-American maids working and raising white kids. It is also about "Skeeter" an awkward young woman, who has come back from graduating college, and is trying to get a job as a journalist. This is a great book to get lost in.

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A classic love story. Following Elizabeth Bennett, in the turn of the 19th century, as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, marriage and morality. The story centres around Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who appear to hate each other from the beginning, and Jane and Mr. Bingley, who adore each other from the beginning. Throwing in the mix, three ridiculous sisters and a mother equally so, this is an epic balance between pride, prejudice, silliness, marriage, money and all manners of social events.

5. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
An orphaned girl mistakenly brought home to the brother and sister pair, Matthew and Marilla, this story follows Anne as she grows up in the Cuthbert's household, at school and in the town. Anne is equally ridiculous, charming and captivating, she will hold your attention despite and due to her imagination. A light and humorous story to ease you back into reading. My favourites from the series of eight, are Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne's House of Dreams where she is grown up and sent off into the world, however it is necessary to start from the beginning of her story!

6. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
 Tells the story of four gifted children, Reynie Muldoon, Sticky Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire, as they are formed into the "Mysterious Benedict Society" and are sent to investigate a facility called L.I.V.E. (the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened), run by the brilliant but evil Ledroptha Curtain. Another great, light read that is easy to get into.

7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A dystopian novel set in the country, Panem, consisting of the wealthy Capitol and twelve districts in varying degrees of poverty. Every year the Capitol holds the Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl from each district are selected at random and put in a man-made "arena" where they are to fight to the death -- only one victor will prevail. It follows Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers in place of her 12 year old sister, and Peeta Mellark from the same district, in their twisted love story to fight for their lives. Even if you are not a "fantasy" reader this story will captivate and transport you into a different world not-so-different from our own.

8. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter is eleven when he finds out he is a wizard, orphaned and living with his Aunt, Uncle and cousin Dudley, Harry is relieved with this knowledge, and against his guardian's will, sent to Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry. It follows Harry and his two friends, Ron and Hermione as they face a potential come-back of the feared Lord Voldemort. The Harry Potter books are a classic and should be read at least once! (I believe I might have read all seven at least four times!)

9. Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery
Emily Starr is a heroine with a love for the beauty in nature and art, loyalty to her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and a passionate dedication to her writing. She is also orphaned at a young age and sent off to her relatives, she quickly finds friends in the hired boy, Perry Miller, a slightly erratic and untamed Ilse Burnley and the quiet Teddy Kent. A classic coming of age novel, with two equally captivating sequels.

I think your summer is spent now, I believe every reader will be able to find at least one novel among these to enjoy. Let me know if you have read any of them before and your thoughts!

F I R S T S T O P L O N D O N

It's not often you get to live out a dream. I was incredibly lucky to go on this trip with my grandparents and I can't thank them enough. These are still shots of moments that inspired me along the way, and the first stop is London!!

^^ The Columbia Road Flower market ^^

^^ Portobello Road ^^

^^ Oxford Circus a.k.a. best-day-ever ^^

^^ Carnaby Street -- off Oxford St ^^

^^ The London Eye and walking along the Thames ^^

^^ Buckingham Palace and surrounding gardens -- apparently The Queen was hosting an afternoon tea and I guess she didn't know we were in the country because we didn't get an invitation! Choked!! ^^

^^ Getting wonderfully lost on the way to find Harrods -- the walk and the scenery were wonderful, my feet felt like they were broken, that wasn't very wonderful though ^^

We stayed in thee smallest apartment, along thee busiest street, we came accustomed to the stuffy tube rides, getting lost and pulling out the map, fumbling through foreign change and in retrospect it was all perfect. 

The first day we went to the ever famous and crowded, Columbia Road Flower Market, it was situated in a small alleyway, under the blaring sun, and all we wanted to do was have a drink of water and buy all the flowers! We then found our way to Portobello Road Market and bought some hats in one of the stalls. 

The second day we made it to the bustling Oxford Circus where I was #feelingspendy, got to look into all the greats, TopShop, & Other Stories, COS, Muji. I believe this was the night we spent at St. Martin's Theatre where we saw The Mousetrap -- also the one and only time we ever experienced London rain! 

The third and final day we kicked off by going on the London Eye, walking along the Thames, Buckingham Palace and the surrounding gardens, and getting lost finding Harrods! 

London was beautiful and I hope I will be able to see her again :)

Three more stops to go...

Christies' Greenhouse

A little video of our greenhouse excursion this past May long weekend. 

It's so inspiring going to a greenhouse. You can't help but get excited about gardening, when you see all of those colourful palettes filled with beautiful new life.

                                   ...that is until you're a week behind your weeding and it all gets a little overwhelming...

I wouldn't know this from experience though. I'm very diligent...in the weeding...department...

Nevertheless, what a weird couple of weeks. Went to the city a couple of times and shopped till I dropped (yes, I did get that leather jacket from zara -- I know you were dying to know)! 

Also left my brother in the city, which was hard. It feels a little too empty here, and different.

The two week countdown is on now for my trip to England and France! WAHOO!!

The grass is green. The trees are budding out. The frogs are a little too loud in their midnight rendezvous. The geese are back. The farmers are in their fields. 

It's almost like everything is right in this world...